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> Has anyone heard of an author of a saint's life refer to himself as a > "baiulus"? The Lexicon lat. Nederlandicae defines baiulus as a "bearer" > or "carrier". I am glad someone has mentioned BAJULUS. It is one of those words I have been looking for a precise definition of for some time. [The only sources to my hand are Lewis & Short and Souter (who is not late enough) ] I have two references, in both cases he appears to be a member of the entourage of the Abbot of Marmoutier (St Martin of Tours). The translation I have personally come up with is "courier" or "transport manager". How does this strike skilled Latinists ? It is possible that the role of a "fixer" might become by extension someone who was a publicist - and hence an author of "vitae". The references are to witnesses: (1) [Unnamed] - "Dominus Abbas Bernardus et bajulus ejus." c. 1096. Witness to a charter quoted in "MEMOIRES pour servir des preuves a l'histoire ecclesiastique et civile de Bretagne", tirés des archives de cette province, de celles de France & d'Angleterre, des récueils de plusieurs scavans antiquaires, & mis en ordre, par Dom [Pierre] Hyacinthe Morice, prêtre, religieux bénédictine de la congregation de S. Maur. Paris: Charles Osmont, 1742-174x.(1968 reprint by Gregg International.) Vol 1, column 474. (2) Reginald - "Reginaldus abbatis bajulus." 1143x1147. Witness to a charter quoted in "RECUEIL d'actes inédits des ducs et princes de Bretagne (XIe, XIIe, XIIIe siècles)"; publiés et annotés par Arthur de la Borderie. Rennes: Imperimerie Ch. Catel, 1888. Item no. XXXVI. [36]. Brenda M.C.